BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL; Knicks Look to Draft a Free Agent

By CLIFTON BROWN

Published: December 30, 1994

The Knicks focused their attention yesterday on acquiring a free agent who could help their injury-weakened frontcourt.

With Herb Williams expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing successful surgery yesterday on his broken left middle finger, the Knicks will sign a player within the next few days to replace Williams on the roster.

Among the free agents whom the Knicks will pursue are Thomas Jordan, a 6-foot-10-inch forward formerly with the Philadelphia 76ers; Jay Guidinger, a 7-foot center formerly with the Cleveland Cavaliers; Tim Kempton, a veteran 6-10 center playing in Europe; Randy Breuer, a 7-3 journeyman center, and Adrian Caldwell, a 6-9 forward who leads the Continental Basketball Association in rebounding.

The Knicks might also consider other C.B.A. players, including Richard Manning, Shawnelle Scott or Bob Martin.

None of those players have the shot-blocking or rebounding skills of Williams, nor do they have his experience and savvy. But the Knicks are glaringly short on frontcourt size and muscle without both Williams and Charles Oakley, the All-Star power forward who had toe surgery Tuesday and will be gone until at least mid-February.

"We're looking to add a veteran player with size and experience to help us through the next few weeks," said Ernie Grunfeld, the Knicks' general manager. "We're evaluating the players who are available, and we expect to make a decision within the next few days."

Whoever the Knicks sign is unlikely to get consistent playing time, but at least New York will have another big body for insurance. In the meantime, there will be more pressure on Patrick Ewing, Charles Smith, Anthony Mason, Anthony Bonner and Monty Williams to fill the void that Oakley and Herb Williams have left.

Ewing will be asked to play more minutes, and to avoid foul trouble. Smith and Mason will have to play some center. And Monty Williams, who has started the last two games at small forward, will be asked to played with poise beyond his rookie status.

Riding a two-game winning streak, the Knicks (14-12) traveled to Minnesota for tonight's game against the struggling Timberwolves (6-19).

Despite the injury to Williams during the first half of Wednesday's 101-93 victory against the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks feel they have built some momentum after their recent five-game losing streak. Can they sustain it, even without Oakley and Williams?

"It doesn't have to be a struggle," said Pat Riley, taking the optimistic approach. "Something like this happens and people can step up, realize there's a sense of urgency and realize that they have to play better and harder for a longer period of time."

The Knicks like their chances if Ewing, Smith and Mason continue to play as well as they did Wednesday. Ewing tied a season high with 30 points and continued to look healthier and more mobile than he did during the first month of the season.

Mason had a season-high 14 rebounds, flourishing in his familiar sixth-man role now that Monty Williams is a starter. Smith, having his best season in New York, finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, sliding over to power forward while Oakley is out.

But the most pleasant recent surprise for New York has been Monty Williams, who in just two starts has shown skills that persuaded the Knicks to draft him despite his heart condition. Asked Wednesday if Williams had a starting job until Oakley returns, Riley said: "With the way the injuries are, it's his to lose. He's just got to keep playing hard." REBOUNDS

ANTHONY BONNER, who has missed the last six games because of the death of his father, is expected to join the Knicks in Minnesota.